While I was doing research today for a big term paper I had a small epiphany. I say small, because it seemed so obvious after the fact. Somehow though that seems to be the nature of most important insights. They appear so obvious after you realize them, but they’re still very real and very potent.
My epiphany concerned the nature of research and how if you know what you’re looking for and if you have helpful resources to help you narrow down that search (like an informed teacher) then it makes the research process so much more potent. Finally after nearly 6 years of college I’m discovering how to do some half-way decent research and it’s awesome!
One reason I wanted to share this small, but important insight is that this “research process” seems to apply to all learning endeavors. I started reflecting on the way my dharma study has proceeded, and how much of what I read, consider, and reflect on is the direct result of suggestions from people who I consider extremely competent. I’m not simply going to the bookstore and just picking any old thing (although that’s how my study started), but rather am narrowing down the focus to include very specific sources of information. As a result my practice has been enriched exponentially.
There’s something very illuminating about taking advantage of the knowledge that has been amassed by those before us. They already made serious mistakes, discovered new uncharted territory, and have left us most of that knowledge. Finding it, putting it into practice, and then enter our own uncharted territory is all part of the process of human unfoldment. How cool…
